The lone companion
During Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi’s time at the Ramanashram in Tiruvannamalai, a cow by name Lakshmi used to live in the Ashram. Bhagavan Ramana’s mother also lived in the Ashram.
It is interesting to note that Bhagavan Ramana was present during the last breath of both His mother and cow Lakshmi, albeit at different periods.
Bhagavan came and sat next to cow Lakshmi about 6 hours before she breathed her last. However, He did not spend so much time with His mother during her last breath.
When a devotee later asked why Bhagavan spent more time with the cow than with His own mother, Bhagavan quipped, “The cow Lakshmi doesn’t know anyone else other than me!”